Why Accessibility Matters...
... And Why It’s at the Heart of What We Do
Today marks Global Accessibility Awareness Day...
... a moment to pause, reflect and refocus our attention on a fundamental principle of the web: that it should work for everyone.
I’ve worked in digital for over two decades, and in that time I’ve seen remarkable progress. From clunky early websites that excluded far too many people, to today’s growing awareness and evolving standards – we’re moving in the right direction. But we still have work to do.
At Moriyama, accessibility isn’t a checkbox or a last-minute add-on. It’s a mindset. It’s baked into how we approach every project – from initial conversations and discovery, right through to design, build, testing and beyond. Because making your digital presence accessible isn’t just the right thing to do ethically – it’s also good business.
What do we mean by “accessible”?
When we talk about accessibility, we mean making sure that everyone – regardless of ability, disability, or the technology they use – can use and benefit from your website or digital product.
That means considering:
- Visual accessibility – ensuring text is readable, colour contrasts are appropriate, and content works well for people using screen readers or magnification tools.
- Mobility and navigation – designing so people can navigate using a keyboard or voice commands, not just a mouse or touchscreen.
- Cognitive accessibility – presenting content clearly and consistently, so it’s understandable for users with cognitive or learning differences.
- Hearing accessibility – providing captions or transcripts for video and audio content.
It’s about removing barriers. And more than that, it’s about creating experiences that are inclusive by design.
A people-first approach
Accessibility is often seen as a technical discipline – and yes, there are guidelines, standards and best practices (like WCAG). But at its heart, accessibility is about people. Real people, with different needs and ways of interacting with the web.
When we design and build with accessibility in mind, we’re not just following rules. We’re thinking about the student using a screen reader, the parent juggling one hand on a phone while holding a child, the older adult who’s not as confident online, or the busy commuter with limited data and time.
Why it matters to our clients
For the organisations we work with, accessibility brings real value. It helps broaden your reach, improve SEO, reduce legal risk, and build trust with your audience. But more than that, it signals something important about your brand – that you care.
Whether you’re in education, the public sector, or a commercial business – your website is your digital front door. Let’s make sure everyone can get in.
At Moriyama, accessibility isn’t a checkbox or a last-minute add-on. It’s a mindset.
Choosing the right tools: why Umbraco supports our mission
One of the reasons we’re proud to be a Platinum Contributing Umbraco Partner is because accessibility isn’t just part of how we build for users – it’s also reflected in the experience of managing content behind the scenes.
Umbraco has made strong commitments to accessibility in its CMS, making it easier for content editors and site managers to navigate, create and update websites confidently – including those who rely on assistive tech. As a team, we actively contribute to the Umbraco community and platform to help move these efforts forward.
Our commitment
At Moriyama, accessibility is a shared responsibility. Everyone in our team – from UX designers and developers to project managers and QA testers – understands its importance. It’s woven into our processes, our tools, and our culture.
As we mark Global Accessibility Awareness Day, I’d encourage all business leaders to ask: Is our digital presence as inclusive as it could be? And if you’re not sure where to start – we’re here to help.
Together, we can build a more accessible web. For everyone.
If you'd like a FREE Moriyama Accessibility Checkup, please fill in the form below:
